Shoe-tree.



PATENTED APR. 21, 1908.

M. LB R. GOUGH.

SHOE TREE. APPLICATION rum mm. as. 1904.

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' UNITED STATES MILTON LE ROY GOUGI-I, OF

WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

SHOE -TREE Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 21, 1908.

. Application filed December 28, 1904. Serial No. 238,597.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MILTON LE ROY GoUGn, citizen of the United States, residing at WVashington, District of Columbia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Shoe-Trees, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has relation to shoe trees and it consists of the novel construction and arrangement of its parts as hereinafter shown and described.

The object of the invention is to provide a shoe tree adapted to perform all the functions of a shoe tree of the ordinary type, and at the same time to provide a system of ventilation for drying the lining and inner portions of a shoe. After a shoe has been subjected to wear for some time, the uppers and soles can readily be rep aired when necessary, but when the lining of the shoe wears out the usefulness is practically ended as the worn portions of the lining cannot readily be repaired and when in a worn or rough condition the stocking or sock of the wearer is quickly destroyed.

It is a well known fact that after a shoe has been worn for a while the lining and inner portions thereof retain a certain amount of moisture and heat, absorbed from the foot of the wearer. By inserting a shoe tree of the ordinary type the interior of the shoe is substantially filled, preventing the access of air to the moist portion and. when allowed to remain in such condition the lining soon rots out, generally necessitating the purchase of new foot wear. By using applicants construction a tree may be inserted into the shoe which will perform all the functions of a tree of the ordinary type, and at the same time provide for a circulation of air through, and around the exterior of the tree, for the pur pose of drying the lining and interior of the shoe.

In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is a perspective viewof the shoe tree. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof, and Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view showing the tree in applied position.

The last 1 is provided with the hollow portion 2 and the exterior thereof is provided with the corrugations 3. The perforations 4 connect the hollow portion 2 with the bed i of the corrugations 3. The operation of the device is as follows: WVhen the tree is inserted in a shoe the air enters the corrugations 3 at the mouth thereof 5, passes along the same into'the hollow pormeans of the perforations 4. The air in the hollow portion 2 may enter the cor rugations 3 by means of the perforations 4 and be discharged from the mouth of the cor l 5. Thus it will be seen that this construction provides for a continuous circulation of air when the tree is applied. By referring to Fig. 3 of the drawing it will be observed that the tree comes in contact with the interior of the shoe 6 only at the crest of the corrugations 3 thus affording a ventilating means which brings the air into contact with substantially the entire interior portion 1 of the shoe.

In addition to the ventilating feature, my construction, combining the hollow last with the corrugations and perforations, materially reduces the weight of the shoe tree which is always a serious objection to the form of tree now commonly in use.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Ashoe tree comprising a hollowlast provided with a means for allowing a continuous circulation of air through the interior, and around the exterior thereof, when the tree is in its applied position.

2. Ashoe tree comprising a hollow last provided with a corrugated exterior and a means whereby air may be conducted from the hollow'interior of the last to the exterior of the corrugations.

3. A shoe tree comprising a hollow last provided with a corrugated exterior and perforations leading from the said exterior corrugations into the hollow interior of the lasts.

In testimony whereof I a'l'lix my signature, in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

M. LE ROY GOUGI'I.

tion 2 by rugations \Vitnesses;

H. O. JOHNSON, T. MAsoN MANGHUN. 

